Emerson Hospital -

Survey Shows Decline in Alcohol and Drug Use Among Area High School Students - Emerson Funded Research Heightens Awareness in Community of Adolescent Behavior Patterns

01.21.05 See complete 2004 Youth Risk Survey Results

CONCORD, MA – A recent survey sponsored by Emerson Hospital shows that alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use among high school students in seven area school districts continues to decline. The results were released to seven area school superintendents and are a health initiative focused on helping communities and schools to develop educational programs.

An analysis of the Emerson 2004 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was administered to more than 5,000 students in grades 9 through 12, shows that from 2000 to 2004, reported lifetime alcohol use is down from 76% of students to 68%; cigarette use has dramatically decreased from 49% to 34%; marijuana use is down from 40% to 35%; and cocaine use is down from 8% to 6%.

The study, which has been conducted three times in the last five years, was administered by Northeast Health Resources (NHR) of Haverhill, MA, a data collection and management firm specializing in teen surveys conducted in Massachusetts. The $70,000 cost of the survey and the analysis was funded by Emerson Hospital.

Dr. C. Gregory Martin, Emerson Hospital interim president and chief executive officer, said, “Although there is good news in the overall findings, we remain concerned that far too many young people continue to engage in certain behavior that puts them at risk. We are making this data public because it’s consistent with our mission to not only care for people when they’re sick, but help prevent them from having to come to the hospital at all.

“Still, on another positive note, the research indicates that public school administrators and health coordinators in our region are effectively reaching out to young people. They deserve credit for organizing educational programs and classroom instruction that targets risky behavior. We believe this is the most effective way to create necessary changes in attitude and behavior.”

When compared to data from the most recent statewide Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the news is even better. The Emerson survey results show that while 68% of high school students reported having ever tried alcohol, the figure across the state is 75%. For cigarettes, 34% of students in the region surveyed have ever tried cigarettes, compared to 53% statewide. Use of marijuana was 35% compared to 47% in the state, and for cocaine, 6% versus a statewide number of 8%.

Other major survey findings indicate:

Four years ago, 17% of high school students reported that they had seriously considered suicide during the prior 12 months. The new numbers show a decline to 14%, while on a statewide basis 16% of students in grade 9 through 12 had contemplated taking their lives.
In the same four-year period, sexual intercourse numbers remain steady, with 28% of respondents reporting they had experienced sexual intercourse. This number is significantly below the statewide number of 41%.
When asked about driving habits over a month-long period, 9% of students said they had driven a vehicle after consuming alcohol. That number is consistent with the results from 2000, while the statewide average is slightly higher at 12%.

Some of the 2004 results were more sobering, including responses to a question new to the survey where 16% of high school students say that they had injured themselves on purpose (cuts, burns, bruises) during the previous 12 months compared to 18% in the statewide results. Also in 2004, 14% report having been bullied in school during the prior 12 months, showing little change from the 15% reported in 2002.

The news is somewhat better when students were asked whether they had carried a weapon on school property during a one-month period. In 2004, the percentage is 5%, while it was 8% back in 2000.

Students who were asked if they had ever been hurt physically or sexually by a date also register a decline. For 2004, 5% said yes, while the number was 8% four years ago.

Wide Range of Students Surveyed
The survey was administered on a voluntary basis to more than 7,900 public school students in grades 6, 8, and 9 through 12 in seven school systems. These include Acton and Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools, Boxborough (grade 6 only), Concord and Concord-Carlisle Regional Schools, Groton-Dunstable Regional Schools, Littleton, Maynard and Westford. Survey participants included 1,479 from grade 6; 1,406 from grade 8; and 5,046 from the high school level.

Based on tools developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Education, the survey asked students to respond to questions that fell under general risk behavior categories, including: safety, violence, suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, gambling, HIV/AIDS education, sexual behavior, dietary behavior and physical activity.

Research data is provided directly to health coordinators and school administrators in the nine towns covered by the survey. By evaluating and analyzing the results, school officials are able to develop and implement educational programs that target specific behavioral issues. In many cases, the overall survey results are shared with the student bodies of the schools surveyed.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey report is available on Emerson Hospital’s website at www.emersonhospital.org. By reviewing the full report, website visitors can digest the full scale of data for high school students and responses from younger students in grades six and eight.

Emerson Hospital, a 179-bed full-service non-profit community hospital located in Concord, Massachusetts, is well known for its medical and surgical specialties, outstanding nursing care and patient-centered services. The hospital provides advanced medical service to more than 250,000 individuals in 25 towns.

Community specific information is available by contacting representatives at the participating public school systems.

Acton Public Schools (K-6)
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (7-12)
Mr. William Ryan, Superintendent
978-264-4700

Boxborough Public Schools
Dr. Richard Bergeron, Superintendent
978-263-4569

Concord Public Schools
Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
Dr. Brenda Finn, Superintendent
978-318-1510

Groton-Dunstable Public Schools
Dr. Mary Athey Jennings, Superintendent
978-448-5192

Littleton Public Schools
Dr. Paul Livingston, Superintendent
978-486-8951

Maynard Public Schools
Dr. Mark Masterson, Superintendent
978-897-2222

Westford Public Schools
Dr. Stephen Foster, Superintendent
978-692-5560

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	Survey Shows Decline in Alcohol and Drug Use Among Area High School Students - Emerson Funded Research Heightens Awareness in Community of Adolescent Behavior Patterns 01.21.05 See complete 2004 Youth Risk Survey Results CONCORD, MA – A recent survey sponsored by Emerson Hospital shows that alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use among high school students in seven area school districts continues to decline. The results were released to seven area school superintendents and are a health initiative focused on helping communities and schools to develop educational programs. An analysis of the Emerson 2004 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was administered to more than 5,000 students in grades 9 through 12, shows that from 2000 to 2004, reported lifetime alcohol use is down from 76% of students to 68%; cigarette use has dramatically decreased from 49% to 34%; marijuana use is down from 40% to 35%; and cocaine use is down from 8% to 6%. The study, which has been conducted three times in the last five years, was administered by Northeast Health Resources (NHR) of Haverhill, MA, a data collection and management firm specializing in teen surveys conducted in Massachusetts. The $70,000 cost of the survey and the analysis was funded by Emerson Hospital. Dr. C. Gregory Martin, Emerson Hospital interim president and chief executive officer, said, “Although there is good news in the overall findings, we remain concerned that far too many young people continue to engage in certain behavior that puts them at risk. We are making this data public because it’s consistent with our mission to not only care for people when they’re sick, but help prevent them from having to come to the hospital at all. “Still, on another positive note, the research indicates that public school administrators and health coordinators in our region are effectively reaching out to young people. They deserve credit for organizing educational programs and classroom instruction that targets risky behavior. We believe this is the most effective way to create necessary changes in attitude and behavior.” When compared to data from the most recent statewide Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the news is even better. The Emerson survey results show that while 68% of high school students reported having ever tried alcohol, the figure across the state is 75%. For cigarettes, 34% of students in the region surveyed have ever tried cigarettes, compared to 53% statewide. Use of marijuana was 35% compared to 47% in the state, and for cocaine, 6% versus a statewide number of 8%. Other major survey findings indicate: Four years ago, 17% of high school students reported that they had seriously considered suicide during the prior 12 months. The new numbers show a decline to 14%, while on a statewide basis 16% of students in grade 9 through 12 had contemplated taking their lives. In the same four-year period, sexual intercourse numbers remain steady, with 28% of respondents reporting they had experienced sexual intercourse. This number is significantly below the statewide number of 41%. When asked about driving habits over a month-long period, 9% of students said they had driven a vehicle after consuming alcohol. That number is consistent with the results from 2000, while the statewide average is slightly higher at 12%. Some of the 2004 results were more sobering, including responses to a question new to the survey where 16% of high school students say that they had injured themselves on purpose (cuts, burns, bruises) during the previous 12 months compared to 18% in the statewide results. Also in 2004, 14% report having been bullied in school during the prior 12 months, showing little change from the 15% reported in 2002. The news is somewhat better when students were asked whether they had carried a weapon on school property during a one-month period. In 2004, the percentage is 5%, while it was 8% back in 2000. Students who were asked if they had ever been hurt physically or sexually by a date also register a decline. For 2004, 5% said yes, while the number was 8% four years ago. Wide Range of Students Surveyed The survey was administered on a voluntary basis to more than 7,900 public school students in grades 6, 8, and 9 through 12 in seven school systems. These include Acton and Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools, Boxborough (grade 6 only), Concord and Concord-Carlisle Regional Schools, Groton-Dunstable Regional Schools, Littleton, Maynard and Westford. Survey participants included 1,479 from grade 6; 1,406 from grade 8; and 5,046 from the high school level. Based on tools developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Education, the survey asked students to respond to questions that fell under general risk behavior categories, including: safety, violence, suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, gambling, HIV/AIDS education, sexual behavior, dietary behavior and physical activity. Research data is provided directly to health coordinators and school administrators in the nine towns covered by the survey. By evaluating and analyzing the results, school officials are able to develop and implement educational programs that target specific behavioral issues. In many cases, the overall survey results are shared with the student bodies of the schools surveyed. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey report is available on Emerson Hospital’s website at www.emersonhospital.org. By reviewing the full report, website visitors can digest the full scale of data for high school students and responses from younger students in grades six and eight. Emerson Hospital, a 179-bed full-service non-profit community hospital located in Concord, Massachusetts, is well known for its medical and surgical specialties, outstanding nursing care and patient-centered services. The hospital provides advanced medical service to more than 250,000 individuals in 25 towns. Community specific information is available by contacting representatives at the participating public school systems. Acton Public Schools (K-6) Acton-Boxborough Regional School District (7-12) Mr. William Ryan, Superintendent 978-264-4700 Boxborough Public Schools Dr. Richard Bergeron, Superintendent 978-263-4569 Concord Public Schools Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Dr. Brenda Finn, Superintendent 978-318-1510 Groton-Dunstable Public Schools Dr. Mary Athey Jennings, Superintendent 978-448-5192 Littleton Public Schools Dr. Paul Livingston, Superintendent 978-486-8951 Maynard Public Schools Dr. Mark Masterson, Superintendent 978-897-2222 Westford Public Schools Dr. Stephen Foster, Superintendent 978-692-5560